Episode 276: The Wild Pantry, Part V, Preserving Wild Food with Fat

Episode 276: The Wild Pantry, Part V, Preserving Wild Food with Fat

Author: Harvesting Nature June 16, 2026 Duration: 40:52
Summary: In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the history, techniques, and safety considerations of fat-based preservation methods like confit, rillette, and oil preservation. They discuss how these ancient techniques transform food and remain relevant today. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: A Hunter’s Guide to Confit Venison Shank Confit Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Fat Preservation Techniques 02:50 The History and Evolution of Confit 06:02 The Science Behind Confit and Preservation 08:56 Rendering Fat: The Key to Successful Confit 11:51 Practical Applications and Modern Considerations 22:02 Unlocking the Value of Animal Fats 25:30 Exploring Confit and Rillette Techniques 30:04 Innovative Oil Preservation Methods 34:10 Safety in Fat and Oil Preservation 41:10 The Luxurious Transformation of Food Preservation Takeaways: History of confit and fat preservation Techniques for rendering and preserving fat Safety considerations and botulism risks Modern applications of traditional methods Transformative effects of fat on food texture and flavor Keywords: Food preservation, confit, rillette, fat preservation, wild food, traditional techniques, safety, botulism, rendering fat, culinary history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Townsend and the team from Harvesting Nature host Wild Fish and Game Podcast, a series that treats wild food as a starting point for much wider conversations. Rather than just a collection of tactics or recipes, this podcast digs into the entire cycle of bringing food from the landscape to the table and beyond. You’ll hear discussions that connect the act of hunting or fishing to the rhythms of the season, the specifics of a place, and the cultural traditions that shape our approach to harvest. Episodes move through every stage of the process-the pursuit, the careful work of butchery, the various methods of preservation, and finally, the cooking that turns ingredients into a meal. It’s about the craft involved in each step and how these skills integrate into a practical, meaningful lifestyle. The conversations often explore how these harvested foods are carried through real life, nourishing families and communities. For anyone curious about the depth and connectivity of a life centered on wild foods, this podcast offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at a system that is as much about philosophy and responsibility as it is about sustenance. Tune in for a consistently engaging exploration of what it truly means to know where your food comes from.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 261: The Wild Pantry, Part I - Freezing as Preservation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the significance of freezing as a method of food preservation. They discuss the historical context of freezing, the science behind how freezing affects…
Episode 258: The Future of Wild Food: What 2026 Gets Right and Wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
Summary In this episode, Justin and Adam examine how wild food culture is evolving as it moves into the mainstream. They discuss the influence of technology and AI on hunting, foraging, and social media, the growing resp…
Episode 257: How to Transform Holiday Wild Game Leftovers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:31
Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the creative potential of holiday leftovers, particularly focusing on wild game. They discuss various ways to transform leftovers into exciting new dis…
Episode 256: Wild Food Has No Single Culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:15
Summary In this engaging conversation, Justin Townsend speaks with Nikhil Khanna and Shiven Singh, the duo behind 'Two Brown Guys Hunt.' They explore the intersection of hunting, cooking, and cultural heritage, emphasizi…
Episode 255: North America’s Invasive Species Double Standard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:15
Summary This conversation explores the complex perceptions surrounding invasive species, examining why some are celebrated while others are vilified. The discussion delves into cultural, economic, and ecological factors…
Episode 254: The Best Wild Game Recipes for the Holidays [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:55
Summary In this conversation, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the creative and experimental aspects of cooking, particularly focusing on unique roasts that combine various meats. They discuss the idea of a 'F…
Episode 253: Why Hunters Value the First Meal After the Hunt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:24
Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans dig into the ancient first bite traditions of hunting—those raw, fire-lit moments when hunters taste the animal they’ve just harvested. They explore the histor…
Episode 252: Wild Food Horror Stories, Legends, and Myths [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:37
In this conversation, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the haunting aspects of wild food, sharing real-life horror stories that highlight the dangers of foraging and hunting. They discuss the importance of cau…